FAQ

If there are any questions that you've got that aren't answered here then please get in touch and we'll do our best to help you.

What will the service cost?

You and your counsellor will have a confidential discussion at your first appointment about contributions to the cost of sessions and agree what will suit your situation. Our policy includes providing sessions free of charge or by a contribution at a level to suit individual circumstances.

It feels difficult to have to wait, is there any help I can have immediately?

On the main menu click on URGENT HELP for sources of support.

Is there a creche?

At present we unfortunately do not have sufficient resources or space to provide this. However, we can discuss suitable appointment times which may suit you; for example, during school or nursery hours.

If I come back to use the service, can I see the same counsellor?

If you are going to use the core service after having attended the short term service, it is usually necessary to see a different counsellor.

If you are returning to the same service as the one you previously used, it is generally possible to see the same counsellor.

If I can contribute to the cost of my sessions, will I get an appointment more quickly?

No.

NEECS was developed to provide access to counselling for people in the locality whose income may not allow them to make the choice of using other counselling services.

Sessions free of charge are provided according to need and there is no fixed "quota" for these.

I don't live in North East Edinburgh, are there other services?

Click on LINKS for further information, including specialist services and finding counsellors working in private practice.

How long will I have to wait?

Waiting times for the Short Term Service are calculated regularly and you will be told the average current waiting time.

For the Core Service we are not able to give accurate waiting times due to the varying length of time people attend.

Does the service have disabled access?

There are five steps up from the pavement on Leith Walk to the door.

Once inside, all facilities are on one level.

If you are unable to physically access the premises, we will do our best to arrange for you to see a NEECS counsellor in an alternative location and/or give you information on an alternative fully accessible service. Service information is also available in large print.

Do I have a choice about the counsellor I see?

If you have a preference about the gender of your counsellor, let us know when you refer and your choice will be allocated.

If, after your first appointment, you would like to see a different counsellor, you can request this and do not have to give a reason, although any feedback you may wish to give is welcomed. We will do our best to offer you an alternative as soon as one is available.

With the resources the service has, it is not practical for us to offer you a choice between particular counselling approaches (eg. person-centred, gestalt, psychodynamic etc.). If you are looking for greater choice, information on finding private counselling can be found by clicking on LINKS.

Can I use the core service after I have had short term counselling?

Provided that the waiting list for the core service is open, we can put you on it once you have completed your short term sessions.

Can I re-refer myself to the service after completing my sessions?

If you have used the Short Term Service and wish to re-refer to that service again, you can do so after a minimum of six months or any time thereafter.

If you have used the Core Service and wish to refer yourself to either service again, you can do so after a minimum of a year or any time thereafter.

Can I put my partner's name down for counselling?

You cannot put their name down as everyone who wishes to use the service needs to refer themselves. If your partner does refer himself/herself, they will see a different counsellor from you.

Can couples be seen together?

Couple counselling is not currently available. Information on finding this can be found by clicking on LINKS.

Are there evening appointments?

Yes.

However, there is a high demand for these times and it is not always possible to meet all requests.

There can be is an additional wait involved, depending on the number of clients on the list requiring particular times.

Are there appointments during school/nursery hours?

Yes.

However, there is a high demand for these times and it is not always possible to meet all requests.

There can be is an additional wait involved, depending on the number of clients on the list requiring particular times.